Since mid March Social Security offices have remained mostly closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that is going to change somewhat for people who need assistance with benefit claims or people who need Social Security cards.
The agency recently announced it would be expanding in-person services to customers by appointment only. Social Security will remain closed to customers on a walk-in basis and those with no appointment will still not be able to enter Social Security offices. A while back Social Security did start allowing for some in-person appointments on a critical need basis, but now there is an expansion of those who can obtain service via in-person appointments. Below is Social Security’s announcement advising who can make one of these appointments.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can only enter our offices if you have an appointment. For more information regarding appointment availability for your situation, please select the statement that applies to you:
- I need help with benefits.
- I need help with my Social Security Number (SSN).
Generally, we will schedule an in-person appointment in dire need situations. Dire need exists when you:
- Are without food or shelter, including utilities or are without medical care or coverage and need to apply for or reinstate benefits.
- Currently receive benefits and have an urgent need for payment to meet expenses for food, shelter, or medical treatment, and you cannot receive the payment electronically.
If you believe you qualify for an in-person appointment, call your local office. You can look up the phone number for your local office by accessing our office locator. Please note that appointments may not be immediately available, depending on local health and safety conditions and staffing.
I need help with my Social Security Number (SSN)
We are prioritizing requests for in-person SSN services for:
- Individuals age 12 or older applying for their first SSN card.
- Individuals who need to update or correct their SSN information (such as your name, date of birth, or citizenship) to obtain income, resources, or medical care or coverage, or other services or benefits (for example filing a tax return, applying for housing, or seeking an Economic Impact Payment).
If you believe you qualify for an in-person appointment, call your local office. You can look up the phone number for your local office by accessing our office locator. Please note that appointments may not be immediately available, depending on local health and safety conditions and staffing.
This is the only type of announcement Social Security has made regarding offices reopening. Social Security has no plans to open up again and allow walk-in customers and the Social Security hearing’s offices remain closed and in-person hearings remain unavailable. People who have scheduled disability hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) have had the option of having their hearing by phone, but those who decide to reject a phone hearing will have to wait until in-person hearings resume, but that is not likely to happen until sometime in 2021 or beyond.
